I am gonna build my own sub box to go under the back seat of my 2001 F-150 Supercab. I was just wondering what type of wood to use? or does it even matter at all? I was just gonna use prolly 1/2" plywood? what would you guys recomend me using?

 

3/4 inch MDF (medium density fiberboard) is pretty much the standard(really, MDF is about all thats used for wood boxes) You can get a 4x8 foot sheet for 25 bucks or so. Depending on what subs your using (like one or two 8's say) you could get by with 5/8ths inch. It is very sturdy, strong, air tight, and doesnt flex as bad as most woods.

Plywood will flex to much, resonate, and sound bad.

Ive seen people use particle board (3/4 or 1 inch) when there isnt a whole lot or pressure inside the box, or a huge speaker, but Ive also seen particle board boxes literally blown apart from the sub. It just doesnt hold up like MDF.

Good luck with the box, if you have any more questions we'll all be happy to help.

 

oh thanks a lot! Also when i start construction on it i assusme you use screws, but should i line the interor courners with wood glue? for added strenghed? or does it matter?

also im putting 2 10s, do you think i should port the box or leave it sealed?

 

Yes, use wood glue, it all depends on the speakers you get if you want to port of seal. Remember there's not a lot of room under that seat, it's going to be about 5"-5-1/2" from bottom to top and your speaker is has to mount inside that 5 or so inches, unless you're taking it out completly.

 

Silver,

Glue is what actually hold the box together. And for what glue to use, you cant beat Liquid Nails in my oppinion. Hold like a ****. The screws actually just hold it together while the glue is drying. If you have a bunch of clamps you can use them to hold the box together till the glue dries, then take them off, but IMO, its easiest just to use screws to hold it while it dries. Make sure you predrill the holes or you WILL split the wood. 1 5/8th screws is what I use-seems to be about the perfect length. Once its all together, your going to want to take some silicone or caulk, and put it along all the inside joints to totaly seal the box and make it airtight-this is ONE of the most critical things-making sure no air leaks.

Going with a sealed or ported box is totaly personal preference. If your all about sound quality, stay sealed-if you like to get loud, go ported.

If you want a happy medium, a big sealed box, or a lower tuned ported box will generly accomplish it-but there is so much involved.

Since your a beginner, Id suggest a sealed box. Much more forgiving on your calculations, less planing, and over all easier to make.

Make sure you box's dimensions are what the company recomends, or punch your box and speaker specs into WinISD to see how it works.

There are a lot of things you need to figure out-its a lot more involved than slaping some wood together. It takes some math and manuf. specs or WinISD to get good results. Your box will make or break your subwoofer.

 

I did pretty much the same mod in my 01, i would not port the box....their is not enough space under that seat to make a box big enough to port and sound good. You are planning on rasing the seat though right...

 

yeah, that was my next question. i know people have used electrical boxes, but I cant understand how they mounted it? ive tooked off the bolts that hold the seat to the floors, but then how do I get the boxes under there to lift the seat and still be able to bolt them down?

also Can. do you have any pics of you box? how does it sound sealed? I listen to rap and country. but mostly rap

 

Maybe you could use an enclosure like mine. Click here

I think your seats are just like mine. Shoot me an e-mail if you are interested.

Mike

 

Make sure your box is airtight too, might want to go around the edges with some silicone. Also make sure ur subs sit all the way down on the box. And mark the holes for the subs with a sharpie and pre drill. always pre drill. and make it look nice! have some pride.

 

Making bozes is an art. If you haven't attempted one before, you might get frustrated when it doesn't turn out right. I have done multiple boxes, many of them odd shapes to fit into a certain spot, and I almost always have to do something more than once. If you are trying to fit it around the seat mounts, you will likely have to make an odd shaped box. For 2 10's you will have to go sealed as you won't have enought volume for a ported box. What's more, ported boxes are more difficult to build and get to sound right.